The UK parliament has again rejected Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal after she secured legally binding assurances from Brussels on the controversial Irish ‘backstop’ – but the changes weren’t enough to placate lawmakers.
May’s deal was defeated 391 to 242 on Tuesday evening and will be followed on Wednesday by a debate and vote in the House of Commons on the prospect of the UK leaving the EU with “no deal” in place – which MPs are also expected to reject.
If that happens, MPs will vote on Thursday on extending article 50 which triggered the UK’s exit process from the EU.
A very tired sounding Theresa May says she profoundly regrets Parliament’s decision to reject her deal. Tomorrow will see a vote on whether to rule out no-deal. That will be a free vote.
Welcome to the rabbit hole.
The rabbit hole welcomes careful drivers and fish on bicycles.
— Wesley Mallin (@wesleymallin) March 12, 2019
May, who said that she “profoundly rejects” the decision taken by the house, added that Tory MPs will be given a free vote on the no-deal motion on Wednesday. She told parliament that she has struggled with the need to honor the 2016 Brexit referendum results while also getting a good deal from Brussels, adding that if MPs vote to leave with no deal, that will become official government policy.
After the vote, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused May of running down the clock on Brexit and said he will try to get MPs to back a Labour plan. He also said it was now “time for a general election.”
A spokesperson for European Council President Donald Tusk said he “regretted the outcome” of the Tuesday vote and said the EU had “done all that is possible” to reach an agreement. “It is difficult to see what more we can do,” the statement said, adding that the latest vote “significantly increased” the likelihood of a no-deal Brexit.
Tusk also said the EU would consider a “reasoned request” from London for an extension of article 50, but only with “credible justification.”
Spokesman for European Council President Donald Tusk:
“With only 17 days left to 29 March, today’s vote has significantly increased the likelihood of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit. We will continue our no-deal preparations and ensure that we will be ready if such a scenario arises.” pic.twitter.com/7PcJPcfITQ
— Simon Cullen (@Simon_Cullen) March 12, 2019
If MPs opt for extending article 50 to continue deliberations, it still will not solve the problems May’s government is facing. The choice will then have to be made as to whether article 50 is revoked completely, ending the Brexit process altogether, or for a new referendum to be held.
BREAKDOWN: How MPs voted on #Brexit deal by party:
*FOR*
– Conservatives: 235
– Labour: 3
– Independents: 4
*AGAINST*
– Labour: 238
– Conservatives: 75
– SNP: 35
– Independents: 17
– Lib Dems: 11
– DUP: 10
– Plaid Cymru: 4
– Green: 1
(Source: Commons Votes Services)
— Al Jazeera News (@AJENews) March 12, 2019
Labour MPs have been calling for clarification on what will happen on March 29 – the day the UK is scheduled to officially leave the EU. SNP MPs have reiterated calls for a second referendum, saying that the time has come for May to accept that a new referendum is necessary.
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